All-purpose fishing float

ABSTRACT

A rigid plastic tube is inserted through the central opening of a conventional float and retained therein by friction or any other suitable means and the portion of the tube above the float is provided with a plurality of radial openings, preferably vertically aligned. A fishing line is inserted through the top of the tube, then outwardly through the uppermost of the openings, thence inwardly through another opening, thence downwardly through the tube and provided therebeneath with a leader, sinker and hook or lure. A sleeve, slidably mounted on the tube above the float, may occupy a neutral position below the radial openings for the relatively free sliding of the fishing line upwardly or downwardly, and, the sleeve may be put in an operative position over the portion of the line lying outwardly of the tube to gently impede the free movement of the line axially to the tube.

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ABSTRACT Inventor: JulseglO. Daigle, P.O. Box 515, Welsh, La. PrimaryExamner Hugh R Chamblee 70 Attorney-Victor J. Evans and Co. Oct. 24,1969 [57] Appl. No.: 869,110

' A rigid plastic tubev is inserted through the central opening of aconventional float and retained therein by friction or any United StatesPatent Daigle [54] ALL-PURPOSE FISHING FLOAT [22] Filed:

ALtfPURPosE FISHING FLOAT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to the field of still fishing with a pole and of bait castingwith rod and reel. The purpose of the invention is to provide a simple,durable and trouble-free float assembly which is ideally adapted to bothof the above mentioned types of fishing and which permits float-fishingat any depth including bottom-fishing. While numerous attempts have beenmade by others to provide such a float, none of these employ thespecific design embodied herein, nor do they achieve a comparablysimple, durable and trouble-free device for effecting the desired goalof an all-purpose float.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The device makes use of a conventional floatelement of any desired type or composition, having a central openingtherethrough. The device comprises a tube of relatively hard plastic,having an opening entirely therethrough and of` a substantially greaterlength than the length of the opening through the conventional floatused. The tube is preferably of uniform cross-section throughout itslength except that it is preferably provided, at its upper end, with anoutwardly flared rim for the purpose to be described, and preferably hasits outer surface tapered at its lower end, so as to gradually decreasein diameter to the lower extremity of the tube to facilitate itsinsertion through the opening in the conventional float, in whichopening the tube is held by frictional engagement with float or by anyother suitable means.

A sleeve which is preferably made of soft plastic or rubber is fittedaround the upper portion ofthe tube, said sleeve to be of slightlygreater internal diameter than the external diameter of the tube, andthe sleeve may occupy an upper operative position, to be described, or alower inoperative position resting on the top of the float element.Between its flared upper end and the upper end of the sleeve when in theinoperative position, the tube is provided with preferably threevertically aligned and vertically spaced radial openings, although theholes could be aligned spirally or horizontally.

The fishing line extends into the upper end of the tube, then outwardlythrough the uppermost radial opening and downwardly of the tube, thenceinwardly through a lower radial opening and downwardly through the tube.After the line has thus been inserted, the lower extremity of the lineis provided with the usual leader, sinker and hook or lure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of thedevice shown in position in the water, with the fishing being done abovethe bottom; the position of the parts when bottom-fishing being shown indotted lines;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the tube, float andassociated elements;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged axial sectional view through the tube and sleeve,with a portion of tube being broken away;

FIG. 4 is a sectional line through line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. Sis a sectional line 5 5 ofFIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a similar view ofline 6-6 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 2and 5, the numeral 10 designates a float, shown in the present instanceas being spherical and formed of cork, but it will be apparent that anydesired type of float, formed of any suitable material may be employed.The float, in the present instance, is provided with A a diametricalopening 12 extending entirely therethrough, and a tube 14 extendsthrough this opening and projects above and below the float. The tube ispreferably made of any suitable hard plastic and is preferably uniformin cross-sectional shape from end to end except that it is preferablyprovided, at its upper end, with an annular flared flange 16 while itslower end preferably has its outer surface tapered as at 18 to decreasein diameter to the lower extremity of tube. This tapered lower endfacilitates the insertion of the tube through the float as will beapparent.

Above the float 10 as viewed in FIG. 2 the tube 14 is provided with apreferably flexible sleeve 20, the internal diameter of which isslightly greater than the external diameter of the tube. This sleeve isadapted to assume either a neutral or inoperative position as shown inFIG. 2 or an upper or operative position as shown in FIG. 3, as furtherdescribed below.

Between the upper flange 16 and the sleeve 20, when the latter is in theinoperative position, the tube 14 is provided with preferably threevertically spaced vertically aligned openings 22, 24 and 26. Inpractice, for most types of sport fishing, it has been found preferableto space these openings about one-fourth inch apart, with the uppermostopening 22, just below the flange 16, to facilitate insertion of linefrom top of tube. The distance between the openings, within certainlimits, is governed by the size of line to be used. The openings 22, 24and 26 may be perpendicular to the axis of the tube or opening 22 may beobliquely directed toward upper tip of tube whereas openings 24 and 26may be directed downwardly toward lower end of tube. The obliquedirection of openings facilitates threading of the line through them. Afishing line 28 is inserted into the upper end of tube 14, and then isthreaded outwardly through the opening 22. The line is extendeddownwardly along the tube 14, externally thereof, and it is thenthreaded through either of the openings 24 or 26, then extendsdownwardly through the tube 14 to project from the lower end thereof.For a reason which will become apparent, the line, if light, is threadedinwardly through opening 24, while a heavier line is extended inwardlythrough opening 26. The lower extremity of the line 28 may be providedwith customary leader 32 which bears a suitable sinker 30 and a hook 34or lure (not shown). Under some conditions to be described, a shortpiece of string 36 (FIG. 2) may be tied to line 28 as shown in FIG. 2.

OPERATION In assembling the device, tube 14 is slipped into sleeve 20and the lower end of` tube is then inserted through opening 12 of float10 as shown in FIG. 2, and the tube will be held in position in opening12 by friction or by any other suitable means. The sleeve 20, in itsneutral position will rest against float l0 and movement of sleeve fromthe upper end of tube will be prevented by the flange I6. This flangealso reinforces the upper end of tube and by enlarging its diameter,prevents it from being forced into the rod tip when the line isretrieved after casting. The line 28 is then inserted into the upper endof tube 14 and threaded outwardly through opening 22; thence it isextended downwardly, externally of the tube, and threaded inwardlythrough either of the openings 24 or 26 depending on the size of theline used. The line is then extended downwardly through the lower end ofthe tube and a suitable leader, sinker and hook or lure is attached toit.

In the event the device is to be used for still fishing with a pole, atany practicable depth, or for fishing with rod and reel to a depth ofabout 5 feet or less, the angler will first set the sleeve 20 in theoperative position as shown in F IG. 3. He will then manually pull outas much of the line as desired from below the float assembly. He thenfishes in the customary way. It should be noted that the pressure of thesleeve 20 on the line is just enough to prevent the weight of the sinkerfrom pulling the line through the float assembly but not enough tohinder the manual movement of the line through the device, nor enough tomake it difficult to retrieve the line after casting.

When the device is to be used for casting, with the bait deeper than 5feet, let us say 20 feet deep, the sleeve is to be set in the neutralposition as in FIG. 2. The distal end of line 28 is then pulled out fromthe reel to the desired length, and at this point a small piece ofstring or rubber band is tied onto the line, above the tube 14 as shownat 36 in FIG. 2. The loose ends of string or band should be cut off, sothey will not interfere with the casting. The angler now reels in theline and casts as usual. Since the sleeve is in the neutral position,the sinker will pull the line through the assembly until the knot 36strikes the shoulders of opening 22, through which it cannot pass. Thusthe float l will now support the sinker at whatever depth had beenselected. It should be noted that this feature, which enables angler tofish at great depths, with a float which is also adapted to all otherforms of fishing, is a unique advantage of this invention overconventional floats.

When it is desired to fish on the bottom, regardless of depth (known orunknown), the sleeve 20 is set in the neutral position as shown in FIG.2 and the cast is made as usual. As the sinker descends inthe water, theresistance of the line 28 to the constant deviations forced upon it asit slides through the openings 22 and 24 (or 26) keeps the floatassembly in a vertical position kori the surface. As soon as sinker 30hits bottom, its pull on the line ceases and the float assembly drops toa horizontal position, shown in dotted lines in FIG. l, which indicatesto the angler that bottom has been reached. lf the angler will now takeup the slack in the line 28, the result will be that the portion oftheline lying between the tip ofthe rod and the sinker will besubstantially straight except for the four minute but sharp deviationsin the line where it goes in and out of the radial openings 22 and 26(or 22 and 24). With the line substantially straight, these fourdeviations will have the e`ect of effectively preventing the line fromsliding through the float assembly whenever a bite or nibble isexperienced. Thus the float will react to any bite in the same way as ifit were fastened to the line. The basis for this feature is a specificapplication of the law of inertia, which need not be explained here. ltshould be noted that for best results, when a light line is used it ispreferably to thread it through openings 22 and 24; whereas when aheavier line is used it should be threaded through holes 22 and 26 orless sharp deviations. It should also be noted that the heavier the lineused, the heavier the sinker needs to be, for best results.

Where the term hook is used in the claims, it is to be understood thatthe term includes a lure which may be substituted for the hook.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the single, simple deviceillustrated and described is ideal for all standard forms of fishing.From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided animproved all-purpose fishing float which accomplishes all of the objectsof this invention and others, including many advantages of greatpractical utility and commercial importance.

As various embodiments, may be made of this inventive concept, and asmany modifications may be made in the embodiment herein before shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

l. A fishing float construction apparatus, comprising a float elementhaving a tube extending therethrough and extending outward from oppositeends thereof, said tube having an opening therethrough from end to endthrough which a fishing line is adapted to extend with a sinker and hookconnected to the lower end of such line, selectively operable means forrendering the fishing line relatively freely slidable through said tubeand for resisting such movement to predetermine the length of theline'projecting below said tube, said selectively operable meanscomprising a sleeve surrounding said tube above said float element andadapted to assume an inoperative position resting on said float elementat a point spaced from the upper end of said tube, such upper end ofsaid tube being provided with at least two radial openings through theuppermost of which a fishing line is adapted to extend outwardly anddownwardly along the lside of said tube thence inwardly through one ofthe other said openings and downwardly through and beyond the lower endof said tube; said sleeve being movable upwardly to an operativeposition frictionally engaging the portion of the line lying outwardlyof said tube between said openings to prevent free sliding movementofthe fishing line axially relative to said tube, a flexible elementknotted around fishing line above said tube and adapted to engage theuppermost of said radial openings to limit the sliding movement of saidfishing line downwardly through said tube whereby, with sleeve in saidinoperative position and said fishing line relatively freely slidablethrough said tube, the upper end of the line may be reeled in until thesinker engages the `bottom of said tube whereupon the hook and sinkermay be cast and the fishing line will slide through said tube until saidknotted flexible element engages said upper radial opening to limit thefurther descent of said sinker and hook into water.

2. A device as claimed in claim l wherein said tube is flared outwardlyat its upper end to prevent movement of said sleeve from the upper endof said tube, said tube throughout that portion of its length whichpasses through said float element being of uniform exteriorcross-section whereby said sleeve can be slid over the lower end of saidtube prior to its insertion through said opening in said float element,said tube having the surface of its lower extremity tapered to decreasein diameter to facilitate the insertion of said tube through saidopening in said float element.

1. A fishing float construction apparatus, comprising a float elementhaving a tube extending therethrough and extending outward from oppositeends thereof, said tube having an opening therethrough from end to endthrough which a fishing line is adapted to extend with a sinker and hookconnected to the lower end of such line, selectively operable means forrendering the fishing line relatively freely slidable through said tubeand for resisting such movement to predetermine the length of the lineprojecting below said tube, said selectively operable means comprising asleeve surrounding said tube above said float element and adapted toassume an inoperative position resting on said float element at a pointspaced from the upper end of said tube, such upper end of said tubebeing provided with at least two radial openings through the uppermostof which a fishing line is adapted to extend outwardly and downwardlyalong the side of said tube thence inwardly through one of the othersaid openings and downwardly through and beyond the lower end of saidtube; said sleeve being movable upwardly to an operative positionfrictionally engaging the portion of the line lying outwardly of saidtube between said openings to prevent free sliding movement of thefishing line axially relative to said tube, a flexible element knottedaround fishing line above said tube and adapted to engage the uppermostof said radial openings to limit the sliding movement of said fishingline downwardly through said tube whereby, with sleeve in saidinoperative position and said fishing line relatively freely slidablethrough said tube, the upper end of the line may be reeled in until thesinker engages the bottom of said tube whereupon the hook and sinker maybe cast and the fishing line will slide through said tube until saidknotted flexible element engages said upper radial opening to limit thefurther descent of said sinker and hook into water.
 2. A device asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said tube is flared outwardly at its upperend to prevent movement of said sleeve from the upper end of said tube,said tube throughout that portion of its length which passes throughsaid float element being of uniform exterior cross-section whereby saidsleeve can be slid over the lower end of said tube prior to itsinsertion through said opening in said float element, said tube havingthe surface of its lower extremity tapered to decrease in diameter tofacilitate the insertion of said tube through said opening in said floatelement.